Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016 (Halifax, NS) – Grand Parade is the place to be on New Year’s Eve as Halifax launches a full year of celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of Canada.
The already festive night will have an extra shine to it this year, as the provincial capital begins toasting Canada 150, a year-long tribute to the birth of Confederation.
Halifax is stepping up its party game with enhanced New Year’s Eve festivities at Grand Parade and the Emera Oval, where the focus will be on highlighting the past 150 years as a country.
“Halifax has a long, proud history within this great country,” said Mayor Mike Savage. “Today we stand alongside cities from across Canada in recognizing and celebrating 150 years of nationhood as we also look to help shape the way forward.”
As part of the Canada 150 celebrations, the federal government is contributing $130,000 to help make Halifax’s New Year’s Eve the best ever.
“On New Year’s Eve, several cities across Canada will count down the final hours of the year and kick off the festivities for the 150th anniversary of Confederation with a bang,” said The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage. “I invite citizens of Halifax to join in this major celebration to mark the start of a truly historic year.”
Halifax Member of Parliament Andy Fillmore highlighted the fact the upcoming year of celebration will focus on inclusivity. “The 150th anniversary of confederation – or Canada 150 – is a chance for Canadians from every walk of life to celebrate our nation’s diversity, history, environment, and place in the world.
“Our federal government is investing in local projects and events, like this one in Halifax, to bring that celebration right to the heart of our communities,” said Fillmore.
The one-time grant this year from the federal government will mean being able to attract award-winning musical guests, a traditional Aboriginal welcoming, and an historical multimedia photo and video montage reflecting on various celebrations over the past 150 years in Halifax.
The headliner for this year’s festivities at Grand Parade will be Juno Award winner The Strumbellas, one of Canada’s biggest tour bands this year. Halifax will also be treated to the musical talents of Ria Mae, who recently won five Music Nova Scotia awards and is nominated for a Juno.
The festivities at Grand Parade begin at 10 p.m. and will culminate with the largest fireworks display in Atlantic Canada at midnight. Earlier in the evening another fireworks display will be held at the Emera Oval, so the younger residents of the municipality can join in on the Canada 150 kick-off.
Halifax is also one of five cities across the country to be featured live throughout the night on CBC Television, as the national broadcaster pays tribute to the past 150 years of our great country.
Eastlink will also broadcast the entire night live to its subscribers.
This project has been made possible, in part, by the Government of Canada.
Source: Release